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92 points Robert Parker: The dense ruby/purple-colored 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard reveals a gorgeous nose of sweet cassis fruit, chocolate, iron, and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and weighty, with moderately high tannin, it requires 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last 25+ years. (Jan 2000)

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Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery committed to crafting world class, estate grown wines. Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch in Spring Valley near St. Helena, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District and South Napa Valley. Phelps is best k... Read more

Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery committed to crafting world class, estate grown wines. Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch in Spring Valley near St. Helena, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District and South Napa Valley. Phelps is best known for its flagship blend of red Bordeaux varietals, Insignia, first produced in 1974. Awarded Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year” in 2005, Insignia is widely regarded as a qualitative benchmark for California winemaking. Annual production at Phelps includes Insignia, Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Eisrébe, Syrah and Viognier. Read less

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92 points Robert Parker: The dense ruby/purple-colored 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard reveals a gorgeous nose of sweet cassis fruit, chocolate, iron, and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and weighty, with moderately high tannin, it requires 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last 25+ years. (Jan 2000)